Carmelo Anthony Honored as Inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion

Carmelo Anthony has been named the inaugural recipient of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award.

Jack Winter

Carmelo Anthony Honored as Inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion
Carmelo Anthony Honored as Inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion /

Carmelo Anthony's time with the Trail Blazers might be over. Even if he's indeed played his last game in Portland, it's still more clear than ever that Anthony's local legacy will endure—just as much for his work off the floor as on it.

Anthony was named the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion on Tuesday, an honor bestowed on the future Hall-of-Famer for his "dedication over the past year to pursuing social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups who have been historically marginalized or systemically disadvantaged."

Anthony was among five finalists for the award, joining Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings, Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers, Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks and Juan Toscano-Anderson of the Golden State Warriors.

The 10-time All-Star has selected Portland Art Museum’s Black Arts and Experiences Initiative to receive a $100,000 contribution on his behalf.

The award's winner was decided by Abdul-Jabbar and a panel of notable social justice leaders, including Director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport Dr. Richard Lapchick, student activist Teyonna Lofton, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía, Rise Founder and CEO Amanda Nguyen.

After being surprised with the award by Abdul-Jabbar himself, Anthony spoke about how meaningful it is for him to be its inaugural recipient.

Anthony has been an outspoken advocate of social justice initiatives and the systemically oppressed in America for years. Along with close friends and basketball luminaries LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul, he helped the NBA family re-commit to its proud legacy of player activism—one first spearheaded by Abdul-Jabbar during his legendary playing career—in the early 2010s by using his platform to highlight the sweeping injustices of institutional racism. 

Anthony started the Carmelo Anthony Foundation in 2005 ago as a vehicle for actionable change and social reform through a variety of outreach programs and disaster relief initiatives. Last year, he established the Social Change Fund alongside fellow NBA greats to focus on investing in organizations addressing critical and timely issues impacting the Black community including expanding access to voting and civic engagement, education, employment, housing, economic equity, and representation in leadership. Anthony currently serves as a board member of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition.

Anthony, 37, is a free agent this summer.

READ MORE: Don't Count on Carmelo Anthony, Enes Kanter Returning to Blazers

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Jack Winter
JACK WINTER

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